It's a tie

The Nov. 2 election in Franklin County is now tied between Democrats and Republicans -- at least in absentee-ballot applications.

The Nov. 2 election in Franklin County is now tied between Democrats and Republicans -- at least in absentee-ballot applications.

Exactly 35,450 Democrats had requested an absentee ballot as of the end of the day today, and exactly 35,450 Republicans had as well, according to data provided by the Franklin County Board of Elections.

Republicans had been running ahead of Democrats in absentee requests in the county up until this point. That's a change from the 2008 election, when Democrats held the clear advantage.

Some observers have pointed to shift as evidence of a Democratic "enthusiasm gap" with Republicans this year, but Democrats insist they're closing whatever gap existed.

The Ohio Democratic Party circulated a memo today saying its review of all 88 counties shows that nearly 20 percent more Democrats than Republicans have requested ballots statewide -- and that Democrats who vote infrequently are requesting ballots in higher numbers than similar Republicans.

The Ohio GOP, of course, is not conceding early votes to the Democrats, and both parties have launched get-out-the-vote efforts after early voting started Tuesday. If you have applied for an absentee ballot, expect to be hounded with calls, mailings and possibly even a knock at your door.

About 55 percent of all registered voters statewide are not affiliated with either party. In Franklin County, they account for 65,056, or 48 percent, of all absentee-ballot requests so far.